Microsatellite marker development for almond breeding. Australian almond growers produce 8,000 tonnes of kernel annually, and the long term aim is to develop strong export markets. The industry funds a breeding program at Adelaide University, comprising hybridisation and selection. Through our current ARC SPIRT grant we augment this with a program in molecular techniques. Research is well-advanced in the development of a genetic map for almond based on both molecular and agronomic characters. ....Microsatellite marker development for almond breeding. Australian almond growers produce 8,000 tonnes of kernel annually, and the long term aim is to develop strong export markets. The industry funds a breeding program at Adelaide University, comprising hybridisation and selection. Through our current ARC SPIRT grant we augment this with a program in molecular techniques. Research is well-advanced in the development of a genetic map for almond based on both molecular and agronomic characters. This IREX grant will facilitate integration of our map with the International Prunus mapping program, based at Cabrils, Spain. It will also facilitate augmentation of the map with jointly-developed microsatellite markers.Read moreRead less
Development of advanced screening protocols for the identification of genes involved in nutrient sensing and nutrient efficiency in plants. Sustainable plant production in Australia builds on the concept of stable crop yield and high crop quality at low pesticide and fertilizer input. This requires a more efficient use of the plant's own mechanisms to efficiently explore nutrient patches in soils that are usually heterogeneously distributed. The identification of nutrient sensors in plants will ....Development of advanced screening protocols for the identification of genes involved in nutrient sensing and nutrient efficiency in plants. Sustainable plant production in Australia builds on the concept of stable crop yield and high crop quality at low pesticide and fertilizer input. This requires a more efficient use of the plant's own mechanisms to efficiently explore nutrient patches in soils that are usually heterogeneously distributed. The identification of nutrient sensors in plants will not only allow a deeper understanding of how plants manage to overcome nutrient-poor growth periods but also open new possibilities for enhancing nutrient efficiency in crop plants. The increased understanding arising from this project will underpin future work to increase agricultural productivity and the quality of life for all in the Australian and international communities.Read moreRead less
Improving nitrogen use efficiency in crop plants: Functional analysis of high-affinity ammonium transport in plant lines altered in ammonium transport capacity. Improving nitrogen fertiliser use in crop species will benefit Australia and world agriculture by reducing nitrogen-linked environmental pollution. Nitrogen fertilisers can be leached from soils and result in the pollution of ground water, rivers, estuaries and oceans. Using model plant systems we are dissecting the genes and their encod ....Improving nitrogen use efficiency in crop plants: Functional analysis of high-affinity ammonium transport in plant lines altered in ammonium transport capacity. Improving nitrogen fertiliser use in crop species will benefit Australia and world agriculture by reducing nitrogen-linked environmental pollution. Nitrogen fertilisers can be leached from soils and result in the pollution of ground water, rivers, estuaries and oceans. Using model plant systems we are dissecting the genes and their encoded proteins responsible for ammonium nitrogen uptake into plants. Identifying the in planta function of these genes will allow new breeding approaches to specifically target genes that will improve the efficiency of ammonium uptake and lessen the reliance on the supply of nitrogen fertilizers in modern agricultural crop production.Read moreRead less